Calderone Awards for Junior Faculty Development

Supported by a generous endowment established by the Calderone family in 1986, this award honors Frank A. Calderone’s distinguished career and lifelong commitment to public health. Designed expressly for junior faculty holding an appointment in the Mailman School, this award supports research efforts initiated by full-time junior faculty members (assistant professors and associate research scientists) holding appointments in one of the departments at the Mailman School.

Dr. Calderone was born and educated in New York City, graduated from Columbia College, and earning his MD from New York University. In 1938, after receiving his MPH from Johns Hopkins University, Calderone joined the New York City Department of Health as district health officer, embarking on a career in public health that would last for the rest of his life.

Rules, Eligibility, and Applying

Eligibility

Full-time junior faculty (assistant professors and associate research scientists) holding appointments in one of the School's departments or centers are eligible.

Evaluation

Applications will be reviewed and ranked by a committee of senior faculty.  Members of the applicant’s department must recuse themselves when that applicant’s proposal is under discussion. The written opinion of outside experts may be solicited when the committee considers it helpful to do so.

Criteria to be used by the review committee

  1. The scientific merit of the proposed research.
  2. The public health significance of the proposed research.
  3. The likely impact of the award on the research career of the applicant.  Pilot projects and support for preliminary work may be submitted, especially in the case of newly appointed faculty.

Award Details

Up to $25,000 in funding will be awarded to each recipient to support promising, high-impact research proposals. The money may be used for salary, travel, equipment, consultation, or administrative/research assistance. The funds must be expended by March 31, 2026, and a formal report must be provided at the completion of the project by no later than April 30, 2026.

Awards will be announced and available in April 2025. 

Applying

To apply, please complete the Calderone Awards for Junior Faculty form. The deadline for the 2025-26 academic year is 5 p.m. on Friday January 31, 2025. 

Contact: 

Kam-Meng Tchou-Wong
Executive Director, Research Strategy and Innovation
kmt2159@cumc.columbia.edu